The trend estimate for total new motor vehicles sales increased 0.5% to 78,697 in April 2004 compared with March 2004. The trend estimate for total new motor vehicle sales has recorded an increase for each month since the beginning of the year.

An increase of 4.6% was recorded in the trend estimate for total new motor vehicle sales in April 2004 compared with April 2003.

Sales of passenger vehicles recorded an increase in the trend estimate of 0.4% in April 2004 compared with March 2004. The trend estimate for sales of other vehicles increased by 0.6% over the same period.

Queensland (14.6%) and Northern Territory (12.7%) recorded the highest increases in the trend estimate for sales of total new motor vehicles in April 2004 compared with April 2003. The Australian Capital Territory recorded the only decrease in sales with a fall of 4.3% over the twelve month period.

Seasonally adjusted

The seasonally adjusted estimate for sales of total new motor vehicles decreased by 1.9% to 77,699 in April 2004 compared with March 2004.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for sales of total new motor vehicles increased by 2.8% in April 2004 compared with April 2003. Passenger vehicle sales decreased by 1.6% and other vehicle sales increased by 10.9% over the twelve month period.

NOTES

TREND REVISIONS

Trend estimates are likely to be revised when new seasonally adjusted estimates become available. For further information see Explanatory Notes 9 and 10.

The graph below presents the effect of two possible scenarios on the previous trend estimates.

1

The May 2004 seasonally adjusted estimate of total vehicle sales is higher than the April 2004 seasonally adjusted estimate by 4.0%.

2

The May 2004 seasonally adjusted estimate of total vehicle sales is lower than the April 2004 seasonally adjusted estimate by 4.0%.

The percentage change of 4.0% was chosen because the average absolute percentage change over the last 9 years has been 4.0%.